Fifty signed hardcovers of my first novel The Weight of Him are up for grabs at Goodreads. This is the final Goodreads Giveaway for this hardcover. Thanks to those of you who enter and the best of luck.

I wonder if anyone reads this anymore? If I’m writing into emptiness? I don’t post nearly as frequently as I once did. I send a monthly newsletter now. Sign up here on the site, if you like. I never spam, or share email addresses. But even if no one reads this it’s okay. This blog and I go way back. I’m sticking with her.

First good thing: Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press 20 final copies of The Weight of Him (hardcover) are available on giveaway at Goodreads. Giveaway ends on Sunday, April 16th.

Second good thing: My essay “Loud in the Time of Chaos” published at Tin House Online. It’s about the Irish fiddle virtuoso, Sharon Shannon, and the salve and importance of tapping into our most powerful parts, especially during these difficult times.

I also have several events coming up. You can find full details on my Events page.

This 8 minute video is so powerful. Thank you, Jamal Edwards, The Guardian, and all the brave, big-hearted men here. All of this spoke to me, and in particular the importance of catching negative, depressive thoughts and turning them around, before they kill you. Suicide is the number one killer of men under 45 in the UK. In Ireland, it is the leading cause of death in young men aged 15-34. In the US, men die by suicide 3.5 times more than women and the rate of suicide is highest in middle age. And the rates keep rising. I hope to play my own part in changing these startling stats and helping to save lives by encouraging people to not suffer in silence.

There’s this cruel voice in my head. It’s always been there, trying to shut me up, keep me small. Lately, it’s sick of my efforts to market and promote my first novel. ‘Who tf cares?’ A big part of me could give in, and give up. Maybe the voice is right. Maybe no one cares. Especially in this catastrophic political climate. The voice, doubt, work, it’s exhausting. Yet I won’t lie down. Because I care. Because great people have helped make good things happen for my novel and me.

Caroline Leavitt, the wonderful, New York Times bestselling author and fierce champion of all things lit interviewed me.

My dear friend, fellow writer, and Mills College alum, Lisa Lewis, interviewed me by phone for Literary Mama and I love the results of our conversation.

Bridget Quinn and Larry Rosen, the brilliant hosts of the GrottoPod podcast interviewed me the day after The Weight of Him‘s official launch party at The Booksmith (there may have been whiskey fumes in the tiny space).

My essay on food, family and wanting more published at The Washington Post.